Pipe-bending machine.



L S. WHEELER PIPE moms momma APPLICATKON FiLED MAR. l0- HHS. "1 206 742, Ffatwtad Nova 28, .1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

swans stow V .I- .s. WHEELER.

PIPE BENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10; I915.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

awuentoz 1. 5. WHEELER.

PIPE BENDING MACHINE.

, APPLICATION FILED MAR.10, 9 5. V 1.,2Q6J742) Patented Nov. 28,1916

' 3 SHEETS SHEET 3- J 5. Whaler;

wi/hwoo a o I I l I ,7 I j T PATENT OFFICE.

enn s. W E LER-,1 or nunsivmm, CALIFORNIA.

Pres-ENDING MACHINE.

- the same are often flattened becauseof unequal application ofpressure. Moreover, the tube is frequently distorted because of weakplaces. The present invention provides a machine which may be readilyadapted to the peculiar nature of the work in hand and which inoperation will preserve the outline of the pipe in cross sectionthroughout the bending process, the machine being adaptable to take-careof any wealrplaces thag m'ay develop in the pipe during the process ofbending and which tend to cause the pipe to bulge or not conform to theshape of theform about which the pipe is bent.

A further purpose of the invention is, the provision of a machine whichadmits .of' bending a pipe or tube in any direction or upon any desiredcurve. depending upon the shape to be imparted thereto.

With these and other objects in 'VlQNV- which will readily appear as thenature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in theimproved construction and novel arrangement and combination of partswhich will behereinafter fullydescribed and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferredform of the invention, it being, however, understood that no limitationis necessarily made to the precise structural details therein exhibited,but that changes, alterations and modifications Within the scope of theinvention as claimed may be resorted to when desired.

Referring to the drawings,Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pipe bendingmachine embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinalsection on the line 2-2 of Fig.

8-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a top plan view of -a portion of the machineshowing a different Specification of Letters Patent.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line in varying are similar sizeand are adapted to be replaced by other Patented Nov. 28,- 1916.

Application filed ital-011 10, 1915. Serial No. 13,429.

and adjunctive parts, and Fig; 6 is a detail I perspective-view of asupplemental pipe form.

Corresponding and like parts arereferred to in the following descriptionand indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same referencecharacters.

The machine comprises a base 1, which maybe of any construction so as toform a substantial support for the working parts.

Mounted upon the base 1 is the pipe or tube bending mechanism, the samecomprising a pipe form, a pressure piece and a leverage mounting for thepressure piece. The pipe form may be of any construction and compriseone or more parts but it is preferred to have the same constructed ofsections, thereby adapting the machine for different curves and sizes ofpipes or tubes. As indicated most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2 the machinecomprises an intermediate pipe form 2 and end pipe forms 3 and l. Eachof the pipe forms has its active portion curved as plainlyindicatedin'Fig. 1 and when bending a pipe or tube the particular formcorresponding with the curve to which the pipe is to be bent isselected. The active portion of the pipe form is that about which thepipe or tube is bent and such active portion is formed with anapproximate half round groove corresponding to the size, or diameter, ofthe pipe so as to form a snug seat for the pipe. The pipe forms 'aresupported a distance from the base 1 and-are connected thereto by meansof bolts or like fastenings 5. Spacing sleeves 6 are slipped upon thebolts or fastenings 5 and come between the base I and pipe forms. Plates7 are placed upon the several pipe forms and overlap the joints formedbetween them and are retained in place by means of the fastenings Theseplates serve as connecting means to retain the pipe'fornis in place. Themiddle pipe form '2 is of circular outline and has a half round groove 8,in its edge conforming to the diameter of the pipe or tube to be bent.

. When the machine consists of a single pipe form, as 2, it isq' to beunderstood that it is .adapted for one size of pipe or tube only.

The pipe forms 8'and 4 are supplementary and are provided in differentsizes, thereby adapting'the machine for general use for; bending pipesortubes of different sizes and;

curves. The pipe forms 3 and in construction but diiferent in roundforms of different size when adapting the machine to any special orparticularwork. \Vheii the pipe forms 3 and 4 are in place their activeportions face outward in opposite directions and are fOl'lllCtllVltllhalf grooves 9. The portions of the supplementary pipe forms 3 and --Lplaced against the intermediate pipe form 2 are concave. to form a closejoint with the part- The concave ends or plenientary pipe forms haveribs 10 which are adapted to fit within the half round groove 8 ofthe-pipe form 2. This interfitting of the meeting portions of the pipeforms insures aii aliuement of the parts and prevents possibledisplacement when the machine is in operation.

It is to be understood that the are preferably constructed of metal soas to withstand the wear and tear incident to the nature of the work forwhich the inaehine is designed.

The pressure piece adapted to coopei'ate with the pipe form is indicatedat 11 and is approximately of half round outline, one edge beingstraight and formed with a half round groove 12 which corresponds withthe half round groove. of the pipe form with which the pressure piece isadapted to cooperate. It is to be understood that a pres sure piece isprovided for each pipeform.

so that the matching half round grooves'will correspond with thediameter of the pipe or tube to be bent. The pressure piece 11 ispreferably of metal. A clevis 13 forms part of the leverage mounting ofthe pressure piece. This clevis is su'bstantiallytof U-torin and isdisposed sides of the pipe form and pivoted thereto by means ot' a pin14. The longitiulinal members of the clevis 13 are formed with aplurality of openings 15, the openings in the upper member correspondingwith the openings in the lower member. A lever 16 is adjustablyconnected with 12} by means of a pin 17 which through an opening, 1

passes ormed in the lever 16 and through selectedopeningslfiintheuj'iperand lower members of the clevis 13. Arlip l8 eii'ibrares opposite sidesof the lever; 16 and pressure piece 11 and is'attached to by means ofpins 1!) and 20. disposed concentric with the circle ll is formed.henretlie. pressure piece is adapted to turn a out the pivot fastening20 and at the same edge remain in contact with the. lever l6. A a resultot.' this armrng'einent the straight edge of the pressure piece mayremainfin contact with the pipe or tube throughout its extent during thethe pipe. or tube so as to prevent disturbing portions of the sup pipeforms with it's longitudi-T nal members einbracnng the upper andlowerthe clevis each 'lhe pin 20 upon which the curved edge of the pressurepiecetime have its cnrved' entire bendingqopeiation. therebydistributing the pressure upon the outlin'eof the pipe or tube duringthe bending cperation. The straight edge of the presser piece maybeturned to various angles relative to the leverlfi so as to readilyengage the work without requiring the lever to be disconnected,

and the pressure of the tlever is exerted, throughits side IHd IIOi EAVAILABLE COP: Y

is i v the position of the lever .16. The lever'lti is adapted .tohave ahandle 24] fitted thcreto for increasing 7 Circular supports 25 and26-are disposed at opposite ends of the pi 'ie forni and are adapted toreceive and support the pressure piece and the leverageinechanismeotiper atin therewith. The support 25 consists of a singlebar whereas the support '26 is shown as comprising two bars. The curvedsupports are in aplajne parallel with a plane passing through the pipeform so as to en-. gagethe pressure piece and lever and support the sameation.

at 2'1 and is retained in at its lower. end, as indicated. at 29, andisformed intermediate its ends witha crimp or depression 30 correspondingwith the th- :IIIlOtQilKOf the pipe and arranged to come opposite thehalf round groove of the pipe form. A bracket 31 issecured to the pipeform and is adapted to cooperate with the niovablc jaw 28 and a clampscrew 3). so as to draw the jaw 28 toward thepipe form and clamp thepipe or tube to 'be bent. The jaw 2S is hiugedly coiiuectial to the base1 and may be replaced. ifdesired, by a jaw lliH'lllQ'H depression 30 ot'a dill'erent size according to the diameter of the pipe tolbe gripped.lt is to be understood that the pipe clamping means may comprise anynnmboro grippin; elements so as to secure the pipeand prevent anypossible movement thereof during the bending operation.

sure mechanism is' re'piired to be moved out.-

\vard as indicated in l"i r., lQjln the ordinary usejol' the machine thepressure llNt'lHlthroughout the bending oper- The pipe or tube tobebentis indicated place by means .of a suitable clamp whichinayeoinprise any number of elements.

the leverage asrequired.

nism is pivotally ronnertml to the pipe form "er AVAILABLE coeat thecentral point 33 So that the pressure piece may travel about the activeedge of the pipe form and remain at a uniform dis-.

tance therefrom with the. result that the pipe is confined between thegrooved edges of the pipe form and pressure piece, thereby preventingany distortion of the pipe during the bending operation. It frequentlyhappens that the pipe or tube develops a weak place and as a consequencetends to bulge or'spring away from the pipe form during the bendingoperation. In this'event the clevis 13 is shifted outward and the pivotbolt 14 fitted in one of the openings 34, the presser piece 11 and itsconnections being shifted inwardly along the clevis to the positi'onindicated in Fig. l. The clevis being thus mounted eccentrically to thecurved edge of the form and the radial length of the path of movement ofthe clevis being lessened, the presser piece will .not be capable ofswinging entirely around the end of the form, but will tend to swinginwardly against said end so that the material being bent will be morequickly forced directly against the form. As only a short length of thepipe or rod can thus be bent at one step in the operation, with theparts adjusted as in Fig. 4, distortion at the weak spot is avoided, andit is to be understood that the pivot 1a may be shifted successivelyfrom one to another of the openings 34 until the weak place hasbeen'passed. 'After the weak place in the pipe has been properly bentthe pressure mechanism is returned to its normal position, that is, withthe pivot pin 14- in the central opening 33 of the pipe form, asindicated in Fig. 1. The supple mentary pipe forms are of differentsizes, that is, diameters and are formed with grooves or pipe seats 9 ofdilferent sizes. .As

a consequence the machine may be readily adapted for bending pipes ortubesoi' dif- -lerent diameters and upon grooves varying in diameter.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is free ofthe lever.

in presence of two witness 2. In a pipe-bending machine, the combinationof a. pipe form having a plurality of pivot openings, a clevis having alongitudinal'series of openings, 2. shiftable pivot carried by theclevis and insertible in any one of the pivot openin'gs in the pipeform, a lever extending laterally from the clevis,

a pivot inserted through the lever and one of the openings in theclevis, a presse'r piece between the lever and. the pipe form andcooperating with the pipe form, a clip connecting the presser piece withthe lever, and straps connecting the presser piece with the clevis.

3. In a pipe-bending machine, the (30311-- bination of a pipe formhaving an arcuate pipe-engaging edge, a clevis pivoted thereto a leverextending laterally them the clevis in the plane of the pipe for1n,"apresser piece having a straight edge cooperating with the pipe form andan arcuate edge bearing aganist the side of the lever, a clip pivoted tothepresserpiece and connecting the same with the lever, and strapspivoted to the clevis and to the presser piece near one end of thestraight edge thereof.

4. A pipe bending machine comprising a pipe form, a clevis pivot-allyconnected with the pipe form, a lever extending laterally from theclevis and having a constant movement relative thereto, a presser piecearranged to bear against the side of said lever between the ends of thesame and cooperate with the pipe form, connectionsbetwcen the presserpiece and the lever, and other con- 5. A pipe bending machine comprisinga pipe form, a clevis having a shiftable and pivotal connection with thepipe term, a lever adjustably pivoted Bo and extending.

laterally from the clev-is, a presser piece disposed between the leverand the pipe form and bearing against the side of the lever between theends thereof; connections between the presser piece and the lever, andother connections between the presser piece and the clevis saidlast-mentioned connections being nections between the presser piece andthe clevis, said last-ment1oned connect ons helhgentirely itrec of thelever.

in testimony whereof I ahrc my signature JOHN S. vVlllfil IiJlGR. [its]Witnesses ELMER M. LINZY,

WILLIAM E. (lnorrnn;

